B&B wins final game for title

The Baileyville B&B football program faced its final game Saturday at the Eight-Man Division II State Championships at Fischer Field in Newton.

The Falcons went out in style, stopping previously unbeaten Wallace County 42-19. Both teams end the season 12-1.

B&B will consolidate with Nemaha Valley next year in a new school district to be called Nemaha Central.

"This is the way to go out," B&B coach Justin Coup said. "When you know it's going to be your final year, this is like the things they draw up in Hollywood — back-to-back state champs. We've been here six straight years. For a community that supports you like this, it's awesome."

B&B wins its fifth state title in football, it's first in an odd year. The Falcons also won the Class 1A, Division II volleyball title for the third straight year.

B&B quarterback Dustin Rottinghaus hit 23 of 50 passes for 399 yards with five touchdowns. Rottinghaus also ran for a score.

"This team has been my family," Rottinghaus said. "There have been so many moments this year I will remember. Hanover in the playoffs, we 45ed them (won by the 45-point mercy rule). We played them early in the season and it was a close game throughout. We got a pick six late. ... I wouldn't want to go out any other way."

Cameron Haug had seven catches for 156 yards and a touchdown. Blake Deters had nine catches for 139 yards and three touchdowns. Brendon Bergman added a touchdown catch.

"We've been over 200 in the air all season long, so that's typical for us," Coup said. "We knew if we could get up three scores, we could force them to pass. Our defense has turned people over 26 times this season. We added three more today."

Wallace County turned the ball over four times. The Wildcats were led by Nate Klinge with 92 yards rushing on 17 carries. Kyle Gfeller had 63 yards rushing with a touchdown.

"The great and not-so-great thing about this game is, sometimes the ball bounces your way, and sometimes it doesn't," Wallace County coach Kevin Ayers said. "The breaks didn't fall our way. A lot of that is a credit to Baileyville. They have a great team, a great scheme and are difficult to defend."

The Wildcats were forced to go to the air late, finishing the game just three of 13 passing for 55 yards.

"It felt like it was always in reach, but we just couldn't get over the hump," Ayers said. "We couldn't punch it in. Things didn't bounce our way, and we couldn't finish things. It made it difficult. We've thrown the ball alright this season. Our quarterback has had some problems with his ankle. He couldn't get comfortable. We do better when we want to throw and not when we have to throw. That's a big difference."

Wallace County loses seven seniors.

Wallace County struck first, taking advantage of a fumble at the B&B four to score on a one-yard Kyle Gfeller run, who also kicked the extra point.

Baileyville struck back with three straight scores, all touchdown passes from Rottinghaus. The third came with 20.5 seconds left in the first half.

In the second half, Wallace County got to the B&B 4, where the Wildcats fumbled the ball away. B&B got to the Wallace County five, where the Falcons turned the ball over on downs. Baileyville finally hit paydirt on a 17-yard pass from Rottinghaus to Blake Deters. Dylan Steinlage ran in the two-point conversion.

Cayden Daily ran back the kickoff 60 yards for a Wallace County touchdown. The PAT run was short.

Baileyville added a score on a one-yard Rottinghaus run with 7:52 to play. The Falcon defense stopped Wallace County on its own five with 3:27 to play. After another long strike for Rottinghaus, the Wildcats scored with 19.1 seconds remaining on a one-yard Eric Gfeller run.

B&B loses eight seniors. The reamining players are expected to join a team that will play in Class 3A next season.

"They're all seniors to me," Coup said. "All 28 of them. I won't get to coach them next year. That's the unfortunate part."